Interviewer: What are some considerations a business owner should consider when seeking to protect their invention outside of the United States with patents?

Patent Attorney: Budget is always the biggest consideration. For individual inventors, start-ups, and small businesses, the money saved by not filing international patent applications may be better used to develop and market the invention in the United States. It is important to think seriously about the ability to effectively advance an invention outside of the United States, and the impact foreign filing will have on your budget.

Interviewer: Is there anything business owners should keep in mind if they are considering foreign protection for their inventions?

Patent Attorney: Most foreign countries have a strict standard – the invention cannot have been publicly disclosed to filing a patent application. There are exceptions, so be sure to discuss this with a patent attorney if you are interested in foreign filing.

Interviewer: Thank you, I think that’s all we have time for today. For more information, be sure to visit Trenner Law Firm’s website at www.us-patentattorney.com and Mark Trenner’s blog over at www.ipatentattorney.org